How to Grow Midnight Wine Weigela

Growing to mature heights of 1 1/2 to 2 feet, Midnight Wine weigela (Weigela florida "Elvera" Midnight Wine), is a dwarf version of Wine and Roses weigela (Weigela florida "Alexandra"). The shrub, which has an attractive, rounded shape, displays reddish-metallic foliage contrasting with deep pink, trumpet-shaped blooms, which appear from spring through early summer. Midnight wine weigela is suitable for planting in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.

1

Plant weigela in partial shade or full sunlight. Although weigela adapts to a range of well-drained soils, including clay-based or sandy soil, the plant performs best in acidic soil with a pH of 3.7 to 7.0.

2

Water weigela two to three times a week during warm weather. Water deeply, saturating the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches to wet the root zone. Allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings, but never allow it to become bone dry. After the first two years, weigela requires irrigation only during hot, dry weather.

3

Fertilize Midnight Wine weigela yearly in early spring. Apply a time-release dry fertilizer formulated especially for trees and shrubs. Sprinkle the fertilizer on the soil around the shrub, and then water deeply.

4

Prune one-third of the plant's oldest wood after flowering every spring. Prune to maintain the desired size and shape and remove dead and damaged growth.

Things You Will Need

Time-release dry fertilizer for trees and shrubs

Pruners

Tip

Midnight Wine weigela is a hardy plant rarely bothered by pests and disease.

Water weigela at the base of the plant. Avoid overhead watering, as damp foliage is susceptible to bacterial and fungal diseases.

About the Author

M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing.